Nov 23, 2012 |
Turkey Hangover? Eggnog nipping and sipping? Black Friday basket filling?
What does the day after Thanksgiving look like where you’re at?
Here’s a glimpse of the fun we’ve had today!
Favorite Snack and Favorite Mug
Instagrammed!
Souvenirs from the Big Feast
Decorating Party Feast
Dot’s Decorated Tree
Knick Knacks
We slept in, cleaned this morning, and spent all afternoon decorating. When we were done, we settled in with our plates of goodies and watched MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. The original.
And now it’s time to watch HOOPS & YO-YO RUIN CHRISTMAS.
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, have a wonderful weekend.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Nov 11, 2012 |
Dot’s Birthday.
My beautiful, talented, shy, generous, gregarious, smart, amazing daughter turns 18 tomorrow. She’s not a baby, not a child. We are celebrating all weekend long with little things. Last night she chose to see the new James Bond movie. Knowing that she doesn’t care as much for Bond as I do. Knowing that there are other movies she also wants to see. She chose Bond.
I bought the tickets and the popcorn (junkfood hangover, anyone?), and we settled in. How fun it is to not be relegated to PG or teen-angst movies. To have her say, “It was so good! I had to keep reminding myself it’s just a movie!” How fun to watch a “grown-up” movie with my Grown-Up Daughter.
Fall.
The winter winds blew old leaves out of my yard this week. I always say that’s God helping me rake the leaves, since I haven’t done it yet. But as I awoke this morning, still in bed I looked out my large window to see a steady rain of yellow and gold leaves whispering their way to the ground.
Dot’s facebook page is full of color as she captured the stunning images of her Grandmother’s Liquid Amber trees a few days ago. This last week of cold and last night’s freeze has brought the sudden onset of toe socks, heavy scarves, and yes… falling leaves.
Dot’s Fall
Veteran’s Day.
I’m so very proud of my Big Brother who served many years in the military. I’m so thankful for those who serve publicly and privately and in ways we will never know. For those behind the scenes, for those kinds of first responders. And for those who keep doing it, year after year after year. Because they do what they do, I can do what I do.
Flag
Christmas.
Driving home from the movie last night, we caught this year’s first glimpse of Christmas lights. Just a block and a half from home. Strands of white “icicle” lighting outlining a roof. How wonderful. How magical.
There’s something so intimate to me about Christmas lights. I can’t explain what it does to me or why. But I adore – no, I need – to see an abundance of Christmas lights this time of year. It’s a public showing that there’s hope. Hope for surprises. Hope for family. Hope for gatherings and happiness and fireplaces and hot cocoa… all the things that make this time of year so incredible. Christmas lights are a public announcement of all things good.
We don’t have outdoor Christmas lights. That’s just not something we’ve been able to get yet. But I still have hope. For surprises. Family. Gatherings. Happiness. Fireplaces. Hot cocoa. And oh, so much more!
Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights, Riverside, CA
[Photo Courtesy Hannah Realy]
When you drive past my house this year
Don’t be dismayed at my lack of holiday cheer.
You may not see it, but it’s here.
In our hearts, in our home.
And we’ll share it with you,
Everyone.
What does this weekend look like for you?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jun 17, 2012
It’s a Wonderful Life.
Yes, I know it’s June.
Yes, I know you’re all shaking your heads and wondering if I’m having a nutty.
But I’ve had this movie in my laptop DVD player since Tuesday night.
And I’ve been watching it.
And I love it.
This has become my favorite Christmas movie. The Christmas movie. The one I have to watch each year. Sure, I have my Top Ten. Those movies that I bring out the Day After Thanksgiving and watch at some point within the next 30 days.
But It’s a Wonderful Life is the one that I watch. I mean, really watch. The one where I make phone calls to tell my family “Don’t call me.” The one where the snack food is on the coffee table and the holiday drink of choice is in the chilled glass. There are no interruptions when I’m watching this movie.
Even Dot knows not to distract me in any manner whatsoever.
Have I said, this is my favorite movie? Because it is.
It’s the well-known original story of a down-on-his-luck man whose life didn’t go at all the way he planned. Filled with anger and regrets, an angel greets him in an effort to prevent his suicide. What follows is the other side of the “What If” coin. George Bailey is consumed with the “What If’s” and “Why Not’s” that he thinks would have made his life better. Angel Clarence shows him the “What If’s”, if George had never been born.
George is filled with a renewing sense of purpose, of gratitude and thanksgiving. His life hasn’t changed. But his perspective has.
And he comes to realize what so many of us fail to grasp:
It’s a Wonderful Life.
As one of my friends says, you can stay on the pity pot or you can share your sunshine.
I could never understand how people are so much nicer and more patient and compassionate from November through January, and the rest of the year go back to acting as if others don’t matter.
If we can find that “Christmas Spirit” then, why not now? Why should it be a shock to be filled with hope in June?
I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately and not liking it. I’ve been feeling like I’m at the end of the proverbial rope. Worst of all, I’d been feeling almost like there’s not much hope.
I hate that feeling!
I dug through the Christmas media and found my movie. And I’ve been watching it every night since.
It’s interesting how you can watch the same thing over and over and then suddenly, realize something new about it. I’ve been so entranced with watching the movie, paying attention to it. Every night I’m catching new glimmers that I’d not noticed before: dialogue, camera angles, scenery. Every ounce of this movie is coming to life for me in a way I’d not experienced before. Not only is the message coming across loud and clear, but it’s reigniting my creative passions.
The writer in me constantly evaluates every word, every action. The person in me finds hope in every scene.
Hope.
From a movie script.
Inspiration.
From a story.
Sure. My situation hasn’t changed since yesterday. But in some ways, that’s okay. Because while things aren’t getting better, they also aren’t getting any worse. And there’s something to be said for that kind of stability. The kind where you know you’re home with family and eating together each day. The kind where creativity overcomes the consumer.
The kind of stability that gives you a comfy bed to rest in and a DVD to watch each night.
Things haven’t gotten any better.
But they haven’t gotten any worse.
It’s a Wonderful Life.
I’ve been watching it every night.
And I’ve been waking up every morning. Ready to face whatever the day brings.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Jan 5, 2012
1. Colored lights are beautiful no matter what time of year it is.
2. Christmas is December 25, the Christmas Season runs from Labor Day through a week after New Year’s Day; with a few other holidays mixed in as well.
3. Being vocal about a Christmas wishlist can be really beneficial.
4. It is better to give; but it’s oh-so-fun to receive.
5. I like putting effort into making holiday treats: baking cookies, crafting gifts.
6. Books make the best gifts.
7. Nutcrackers make the best guardians.
8. Christmas colors are red, green, and white.
9. Holiday colors are silver, gold, and blue.
10. Cats like to climb trees, even the fake ones.
11. There’s a Keurig for every moment.
12. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a year-round lesson.
13. “Miracle on 34th Street” is a year-round wish.
14. Family memories mean more when they’re wrapped in pretty packages.
15. The internet and phone are not replacements for absent family, but they help.
16. Santa may or may not be real. The Holiday Spirit always is.
17. Ham and potato salad will always be the best Christmas meal at our house.
18. It doesn’t have to be cold and snowy to be Christmas, but it helps.
19. January 1st is a great day to experiment with new recipes.
20. Resolutions are made to be broken.
21. The New Year offers a clean slate. Keep only what you want. Wipe the rest away. Add to your foundation. Turn the page. Start over.
22. If you’re alive, you have a purpose. Find it. Reach for it. Achieve it. Share it.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 26, 2011
I had an awesome Christmas. There were some great surprises, some crowded hello’s, and some wonderful family moments.
First, I have to say, you haven’t seen Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” until you’ve seen it on the Big Screen. I have two seasonal movie themes that get me every time. The first is any variation of “Miracle on 34th Street” and the other, of course, is “Wonderful Life”. There are so many movies that try, but none come close. So it was with tears of joy (yes, I’m a crier, especially this time of year!) that I lost myself in the story. And I thought I had it bad this year? I’m counting my blessings, let me tell you…!
And Christmas morning… what can I say? Three generations together, orange danishes, fresh coffee, and a few gifts.
You know how each year there’s that one gift that gets you? You know what I mean: that gift that you’re not expecting, but are just tickled with? The gift that keeps getting your attention throughout the day? Yeah. That one. Well, what do you say to two such gifts? I say, THANK YOU!
The first was a great set of mixing bowls that I’ve wanted for over a year. They’re from the Food Network and completely attractive and functional! I can’t wait to use them. In the meantime, they’ll just look pretty sitting on my cook’s shelf. I hadn’t actually asked for them, and only mentioned it in passing once several months ago… I do so love people who pay attention!
The second gift that stole my attention was this great little cookbook. About eggs. Angry Bird eggs, to be exact. It’s “The Angry Birds Bad Piggies’ Egg Recipes” and it is hilarious! Because it’s a real cookbook. I mean, these recipes are awesome and I can’t wait to whip them up with my new mixing bowls.
The first recipe I want to try is the Hollandaise Sauce. I’ve mentioned recently that it’s a recipe I’ve not yet made and definitely want to (a POUND of butter?! Hello?!) and there it is, in my Angry Bird cookbook. I wonder how Julia Child would feel about that.
Just in case you were concerned, there’s a disclaimer that no Angry Bird Eggs were harmed in the making of the book. Pretty decent of them, don’t you think? I do.
Well, I’m off to whisk and crack and boil and eat.
What’s your One Gift this year?
